Over 1,200 Crashes Reported at I-91/Route 15 Construction Zone in Meriden, CT

Since the start of a massive highway reconstruction project in Meriden, more than 1,200 crashes have been reported in the area where I-91, I-691, and Route 15 converge, according to state data.

Between October 1, 2023, and June 1, 2025, there were 1,262 crashes, 257 injuries, and two fatalities, based on figures from the Connecticut Crash Data Repository. These incidents occurred during the ongoing Phase 2 of the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s multi-phase interchange improvement project.

The $500 million project, launched in 2023, aims to reduce congestion and enhance safety by eliminating dangerous weaving zones, correcting roadway design, and adding multi-lane exits. While officials expect long-term safety improvements, the current construction zone conditions are contributing to a rise in crashes.

DOT spokesperson Eva Zymaris acknowledged that the numbers reflect active work zone conditions with lane closures, traffic shifts, heavy equipment, and highway workers throughout the area.

By comparison, a prior study showed 850 crashes, 230 injuries, and one fatality in the same corridor between 2014 and 2017—before construction began.

“Work zone safety is a priority on all our projects,” Zymaris said. “Unfortunately, people are speeding, driving distracted, and impaired. What we see in Meriden is happening statewide, and it’s putting lives at risk.”

The current construction—launched on June 2—includes lane, ramp, and shoulder closures on:

I-91 northbound and southbound (Exits 15 to 18)
I-691 westbound and eastbound (Exit 1B to Exit 2B)
Route 15 northbound and southbound (Exit 66 to Exit 68W)
And several local roads including Paddock Avenue, East Main Street, Gravel Road, Broad Street, and Miller Avenue

Once complete in 2030, the project will include replacing and rehabilitating multiple bridges and significantly improving traffic flow across all three highways.

In the meantime, officials are urging drivers to follow “slow down, move over” laws to protect both themselves and highway workers navigating these dangerous construction zones.

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